Vasıf Çınar


Hüseyin Vasıf Çınar was a Turkish educator, politician, journalist and diplomat.

Early years

He was born on Crete. He was of Kurdish descend, and was the son of Abdullah Hulusi Bey, a son of Emir Bedirkhan, Emir of the Bohtan Emirate. In 1892 the Bedirkhan family were sent to exile in Crete by Abdulhamid II for their alleged influence in the murder of Ridvan Pasha. They were late allowed to return to Istanbul, and the rest were exiled to Europe, Syria and Egypt where they married within the elite and the Royal circles. After highschool he studied law. Between 1915–1918 he served as a teacher with his close friend Mustafa Necati. After the occupation of İzmir on 15 May 1919 by the Greek army however, they went to Balıkesir to publish a newspaper named İzmir'e Doğru to support the nationalistic resistance. They also founded a society named Red'i ilhak.

Politics

During the Republican era, he represented Manisa Province|Saruhan |Izmir in the 3rd Parliament of Turkey. His rhetoric was influential in the abolition of the caliphate. He also served in Independence tribunals. In the 2nd and 5th government of Turkey, he was the Minister of National Education. During his brief service in the 5th government, he was instrumental to carry the alphabet reform and nation's schools, which were started by his friend Nustafa Necati.

Diplomacy

He was one of the early diplomats of the Turkish Republic. He represented Turkey in Prague, Budapest, Rome and Moscow. He died on 2 June 1935, during his service in Moscow.

Legacy

A school in İstanbul is named after Vasıf Çınar. Çınar's essays published in the newspaper İzmir'e Doğru of 1919 were compiled by Tülay Alim Baran and published by the municipality of Balıkesir.